Composite materials continue to play an increasingly significant role in building construction, primarily in residential applications. Unfortunately, the U.S. housing market, which was strong in 2005 and 2006, suffered from overpricing in 2007 followed by rapid de-escalation.  In 2008, weak home prices and the effects of questionable mortgage lending practices triggered an epidemic of foreclosures, a direct contributor to investment bank insolvency on Wall Street in September and the consequent credit crunch that has since triggered rounds of sell-offs in stock markets worldwide and deepened an already year-long recession.

Despite the significantly weaker new housing market in the U.S. going into 2009, composites still could show strength in the inherently less cyclical home remodeling and repair market, largely on the strength of wood plastic composites (WPCs) offered as an alternative to natural wood. According to the Freedonia Group’s Composite & Plastic Lumber report (issued in December 2007) demand for wood-filled thermoplastic composite lumber has been unprecedented, especially in deck board and railing, molding and trim, fencing, and door and window components. WPC lumber production was forecast (prior to September 2008) to expand nearly 14 percent per annum through 2011 to a value of $2.6 billion. WPC decking material was to fuel the strong growth, account for about 50 percent of overall WPC volume and stake a claim to a good piece of the nearly $5 billion U.S. decking market, increasing from 4 percent in 1996 to 14 percent in 2006. That percentage was expected to grow to 23 percent by 2011 and 32 percent by 2016. While a recession could mute these predictions, WPC will continue to gain ground in the market, albeit at a more modest pace.

Another Freedonia study, Solid Surface Materials & Other Cast Polymers (issued in April 2008), predicts demand for cast polymers — used for residential kitchen countertops, bath and sanitary fixtures — to increase 3.6 percent annually to 265 million ft² (24.6 million m²) by 2012, driven by increasing consumer preference for engineered stone over traditional cast polymer material. Here, too, the current uncertainties in the housing market may change that outlook. However, composites continue to make inroads elsewhere into architectural applications, including use as reinforcement in precast concrete and concrete casting forms as well as in building panels and in unique niche applications, such as retail store fascia and gas station canopies. In the latter, composites are much more durable and efficient, and are used to replace wood or corrugated tin for eye-catching “brand” displays.  

Watch for composites to become more visible in emergency shelters and disaster-proof housing, a market that’s top-of-mind in the wake of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in the U.S. and Caribbean countries. Ambiente Housing Midwest (Waukesha, Wis.) is one of several suppliers that are able to deliver all-composite houses that can withstand hurricanes, snow loads and floods without significant damage (see “Learn More,” at right).